Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a chronic auto immune disorder which
results in muscle weakness and fatigue.

It is quite rare in our society and little known in the general community outside
the small group of people who have been positively diagnosed. No current figures
are available to tell exactly how many have MG in WA. Using recent estimated
world wide figures of the prevalence of MG being 11-15 per 100,000 it could
be assumed that there are approximately 250 sufferers in this state.

Of this number fifty have been in contact with a small support group allowing
sufferers and family members to share their experiences and to learn much from
each other.

Some of the group were diagnosed many years ago and some have even indicated
that until they learned of this support group, felt they were the only person
in WA with MG.

A common issue for all sufferers related to initially having no or limited
information about Myasthenia Gravis followed by then having too much technical
information.

The group, Myasthenia Gravis Friends and Support Group of WA (Inc)
set out to review the literature available from within Australia as well as
the UK and the USA. They soon became aware that Myasthenia Gravis, although
technically the same in the way it manifests itself in the body, nevertheless
produced quite different outcomes to individual people.

The group determined to produce this Handbook for Myasthenics - suitable to
both newly diagnosed, their families and carers, and those who may have known
for some years that they have MG but have had little opportunity to talk to
others similarly affected.

Throughout this booklet the abbreviation MG is used for convenience but as
will be shown in subsequent chapters, there are varying forms of the disease
which was first described by Dr Willis in the U.K. in 1672.

This booklet is not presented as a medical textbook although
the facts within have been subject to careful review by two Neurologists very
familiar with the disease. Rather it is a sharing of common and uncommon experiences
of some people in WA. In their own words they will describe how their symptoms
vary, and some of the difficulties they have faced and overcome.